Rock Me Gently by HK Carlton – Love this book title @AuthorHKCarlton

I’ve never really bought books on their title or cover alone. I’m more of a read the blurb and see if it interests me type of buyer. I have to admit that as soon as I heard about HK’s new book I had to have it. You see when I was a teenager my favourite Aussie band was Sherbet. I’m sure you’re all shocked to hear that it wasn’t all just about footy players for me 😉 I also had a thing for bass players!

If you’re a fifty-something Aussie you have probably heard of Daryl Braithwaite and the band Sherbet but I doubt anyone outside of Australia would be familiar. One of my favourite Sherbet songs was – you guessed it, Rock Me Gently. Talk about bringing back memories!

People who don’t learn from their history are doomed to repeat it.

Rock-god Jase West has it all. Millions of adoring fans around the globe, money, women, cars and the talent that afforded him the extravagant lifestyle he enjoys. Until one day, when he takes a good look at himself and doesn’t like what he sees.

After fulfilling his contractual obligations, Jase quits the music business and goes back to school. Re-emerging as Jason Westlake, history teacher.

During Jason’s first set of parent-teacher interviews, he meets Lainey Clarkson, the single mother of one of his students, and he is immediately drawn to her. But Lainey is in the midst of a nasty divorce from a semi-famous pro football player and the last thing she wants is a relationship, especially with someone who is, or has been, in the limelight. However, Jason is pleasantly surprised to find that Lainey has no idea of his alter ego Jase West and decides to keep his celebrity status a secret for the time being until she falls for him. Reasoning that by then it will be too late for her to just walk away.

But when Lainey finds out that she has been lied to and manipulated again, Jason has to put on the performance of his life to win her back. Or for once, will the guy who’s used to getting everything lose out on the best thing that’s ever happened to him?

Excerpt: (m/f contemporary erotic romance)

Jason pulled the Hummer into the recreational area and parked then came around to her side. Jason opened the door and reached for her. Standing on the running board, she was almost as tall as him. She wound her arms around his neck and he encircled her waist.

Lainey pushed his shades up so that she could see his eyes. His erection was already twitching and nudging its way up against her tummy. “You didn’t ask what I thought about what happened right before Jill called.”

His jaw tightened and he swallowed hard, then asked, “What did you think?”

“I think you must be very well-endowed, but I’m just going by feel.” She grinned.

He let out a painful sounding groan. “That’s it, we are getting right back in this truck.”

“Naw-uh.” Lainey attempted to push past him but he held her tightly.

“Well, I can’t walk around like this all day.” He prodded her with his hard-on.

“Then let’s just throw the blanket down and we can eat and talk. We don’t have to hike if you’re not able.” She grinned. “And maybe later we could neck.”

He dove for her mouth but she turned her cheek. “I’m going to kiss you, remember? Your rules.”

“Yeah, I’m a fuckin’ idiot.”

“It’s a good thing you’re not an English teacher.” She smiled, stepping off the running board.

Jason retrieved the cooler from the back and followed as she led them to a fairly secluded spot in a little copse of trees. They spread out the blanket and unpacked the food.

“Are you hungry?” Lainey asked.

“Starving and not for food,” he answered.

“You are a very impatient man, Mr Westlake. We’ve only known each other, what, five days?”

He stretched out on the blanket. “But I’ve wanted you since the minute I laid eyes on you so I’ve been waiting seventy-two hundred minutes and counting. If you think of it that way, I am a very patient man.”

She smiled. “You wanted me to what?” she flirted.

“Do you really want me to answer that? Because I’m very good with detail and I can be quite explicit and raunchy.”

“Mmm, maybe later. But that reminds me. I brought you something.” She stretched to reach for her purse and felt his hand slide up her thigh to cup her bottom.

She gave him a mock look of severity.

“What? I like what you brought me.”

“Not that, huh. This.”

“A book,” he said, less than enthusiastically.

“Not just any book. Historical romance.”

“Oh?” he replied, in the same tone.

“I could read you all the dirty parts.”

“Although at any other time that would be titillating, I honestly couldn’t take sexy words coming from those lips right now. Not unless I was buried between those beautiful thighs while you read.”

“As if I could concentrate enough to read if you were.”

“Are you finished teasing me?”

“Probably not.”

“I’m seriously going to die today.”

“Regardless of what they tell you, you can’t actually die from that. Besides, once we do that, we can’t go back. It’s not like there will ever be that mystery again. Isn’t it exciting all this anticipation?”

“No, anticipation is just downright painful. Wait a minute.” He sat up straighter. “You said once we do that. Not if.”

Choosing to ignore that, she said, “Do you store your guitar in that Hummer or did you put it in there so that you could play it?”

“You’re not going to answer that, are you?” At the negative shake of her head he said, “I thought I might play it.”

“Why don’t you then? Take your mind off your troubles.”

Jason gave a small nod. Lainey watched him walk back to the truck, admiring his fine ass as he did so.